Notes on Nate, Scal and more

There was an abundance of news and notes after the Celtics introduced Shaquille O'Neal yesterday. Many of them were in today's notebook, but there were a few topics that didn't get covered.

-Doc Rivers believes Nate Robinson, who was acquired at the trade deadline last February, will benefit from having a full training camp with the Celtics.

“It’ll be great for him," the C's coach said. "Nate basically knew a limited part of our offense. We made the conscious choice to just ingrain him with our defensive system. Offensively – whatever – just make a shot. This year, he’ll know both and that’ll help us.”

Robinson was a mixed bag during his abbreviated stint with the Celtics last season. During the regular season he provided an offensive spark off the bench, but he was reduced to a limited role when the playoffs began because he hadn't earned the trust of the coaching staff.

But Rivers never gave up on Robinson, inserting him into Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando. Robinson responded with 13 points to propel the C's to a win. Robinson also had a big impact in Game 4 of the Finals, scoring 12 points and teaming with fellow reserve Glen Davis to lead the Celtics to a win over the Lakers.

Rivers hopes Robinson picks up where he left off.

“Nate turned the corner during the playoffs for us as far as understanding that this is a team, that this is not the ‘Nate Show,' " Rivers said. "We’re deadly serious about winning, and there’s a time and place to have fun. Honestly, he wouldn’t have played if he hadn’t learned that.”

-The Celtics additions this offseason have likely sealed the fate of Brian Scalabrine. The popular free agent wants to return, but the C's don't appear to have a spot on the roster. That doesn't mean Rivers is closing the book on having Scalabrine around in the future.

"He’s as unselfish of a player as I’ve ever coached. I want him around, I can tell you that," Rivers said. "In a playing role, if not, in another role. I just think there’s certain people that you hold onto and he’s one of them. So we’re going to try to figure that out.”

-The Celtics signed second-round pick Luke Harangody to a two-year fully guaranteed contract yesterday. Though he doesn't figure to have a major role this season, Harangody made an impression on the Celtics during the Orlando summer league. The 6-foot-7 forward from Notre Dame averaged a team-high 16.6 points in five games, while displaying NBA 3-point range.

"He’s going to be a player in this league, I can tell you that," Rivers said. "He’s quirky offensively. He’s had to figure out a way of scoring and not being dominant athletically. I love players like that because that means they can play with their head. Those are the type of players that make it in our league. He’ll be good for us.”